The Tooth Fairy, The Great Pumpkin and Other Beliefs

When my youngest was eight or nine, she demanded the truth about the Tooth Fairy but was none too pleased when we told her. She’s gotten over it, and last week, she turned 24. As we drove home from visiting Grandpa in Rochester and soaked up autumn’s colors, she asked what advice I had for the 24-year-old version of myself.

I shared that understanding what to hold loosely is essential – you can’t grip life tightly and attempt to control it. It simply unfolds, so stay open and agile to what comes your way.

As children, we tightly grip our belief in the Tooth Fairy and the Great Pumpkin, but after a few tears, this belief fades as we grow up with minimal struggle.

Of course, we quickly adopt new perspectives to make sense of the world. Over time, through science, study, and experience, these can slowly drift away, like how we no longer believe it’s impossible to run a four-minute mile, that women are too fragile or too emotional for intense athletic competition or leadership, or that trickle-down economics works.

Of course, there are other beliefs we white-knuckle – especially those about ourselves. They benefit the most when we relax our grip because they shape how we show up, who we follow, and the quality of the ripple we put into the world.

We navigate life with more grace, not by dropping all beliefs, but by seeing that we can ease our grip, as trees do with their colorful leaves, on certainties that no longer serve us and remembering that kindness, compassion, and effort are abundant beliefs to hug tightly, much like the people we love.

Until next week, have fun storming the castle.

Michael

P.S. After doing a ton of Digital Wellness Checks, one notion that many people wish to let go of is believing that they can’t be away from their phones for too long.

This Saturday, November 2nd, you’re invited to join in disconnecting from your phone, political ads, and the world’s noise to help you renew, reflect, and reconnect with yourself and nature. It starts at 9 AM Eastern and runs to 4 PM. Feel free to join us for as long as you can. Your future self and phone will thank you.